Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Virginia

Security Deposit Paid, House not Rented

Myself & a roommate completed a rental application for a house and I paid the deposit ($750). The landlord approved our application and wanted to meet to read/sign a lease and confirm a move-in date (we had talked about if we were approved, we would move in August 1) but my roommate backed out on me, so a couple of days after we completed the application I told the landlord we would not be taking the house. NO LEASE was signed. She is refusing to refund the deposit. Is that legal?


Asked on 7/28/03, 9:06 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: Security Deposit Paid, House not Rented

If your rental agreement would've been governed by the Virginia Residential Landlord Tenant Act (VRLTA), the landlord is required to return all sums of your application fee above $32 minus any actual damages or costs which must be itemized, within 20 days of being notified by you of your intent not to move in.

The statute, Title 55.248.6:1, requires the return of these sums within 10 days if they were paid by cashiers check, cash or postal money order.

Read more
Answered on 7/29/03, 6:41 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Landlord & Tenants questions and answers in Virginia